The Bedfords In Charge of Hill 60

Monday 19th April 1915: As we predicted yesterday the Germans have spent much of the day trying to retake Hill 60. They succeeded in retaking part of it, though, seemingly, at great cost to themselves. Around six o’clock yesterday evening the two companies of 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, which had been held in reserve counter-attacked the Germans and drove them from the lodgement they had made on the hill. At this point the Brigadier-General commanding 13th Infantry Brigade handed over command of Hill 60 to the Bedfords’ commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Griffith DSO. The Bedfords have 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment to help them hold the hill.

For two companies of the regiment to help take the hill and for the other two companies to help secure it means that the regiment has achieved something of real value to the war effort.  The value of this place is clear by the amount of shells and bullets that the garrison are having to endure as we write this. The adjutant of the Bedfords’ tells us that casualties are likely to be severe. So far the battalion has lost four men killed on 17th and thirteen men yesterday as well as numbers of men wounded.

Source: X550/2/5